UN Special Rapporteur Calls On Taliban Rep To Secure Release Of Human Rights Defenders

Richard Bennet, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, spoke to Suhail Shaheen, the head of the Taliban's political office in Doha, and stressed on the need for the Taliban to release human rights defenders in Afghanistan.

Bennet emphasised on the importance of women's rights to education and work, as well as the need for the Taliban to honour the general amnesty.

Concerns remain high following the Taliban's recent detention of four prominent women's rights activists in Kabul - Neda Parwani, Julia Parsi, Manizha Sediqi, and Parisa Azada. These activists were actively involved in the women's protest movements.

The Human Rights Watch has also raised alarms about these detentions, noting that many women are being detained by the Taliban, some of whose cases have not been publicly disclosed. The organisation expressed serious concerns about the welfare and potential mistreatment of these activists in Taliban custody.

Meanwhile, Shaheen, during the meeting, briefed Bennet on the current status of widows, orphans, and individuals with disabilities in the country.